Michael Moore faces US Treasury Probe

[thraashman]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
The travel ban is a wrong, breaking it is a right. Discussion over.

Yep, nothing wrong with breaking laws just because you don't agree with them.

Liberals here are such law and order fans.

If you don't like the laws, get Congress to change them.

Do you speed? Do you ever make a turn or change lanes without a turn signal? Ever ran a red light? Ever downloaded a song without paying for it? Ever peed outside while drunk?

Those are all breaking the law too, but I bet you've done most if not all of them.

Just because it's breaking a law doesn't make it a huge deal

 

[dyna]

This all about Michael Moore getting free publicity. And its working great. Your arguing about rep/dem/Moore. Moore is grinning from ear to ear.

 

[palehorse]

I hope they fine him and leave him without a dollar to his name... or deport him to Cuba. Either solution works for me.

Moore is fvckin pondscum.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Looney
I'm surprised it took them this long to get something on Moore... and of all things, something as trivial as this.

Who says they were looking to get something on Moore? Unlike what most of you looney libs believe, the repubs have done nothing to very little in stimying free speech.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Yeh, like Colbert points out, facts have a Liberal bias, and can't be trusted...

Ummmm...no.

Like Rush, Moore takes facts, and then places his own spin on said facts...any fact is open to interpretation, and there is documentation all over the web that points to his creative editing techniques.

A documentary in and of itself is simply a presentation of facts...an editorial piece on the other hand allows the author or filmmaker to introduce his own interpretation or opinion of said facts.

Moore takes facts, and then frames them to suit his agenda...kind of like what Bush did for the war in Iraq.

The conservative base always votes, anyway- even if it's just for baby jesus or to support "family values" or for whatever knee-jerk cause they've got this cycle... Elian Gonzalez, Terry Schiavo, whatever...

Not every conservative subscribes to the preachings of the far right...and the far left has its fair share of knee jerk causes.

But if you want to keep playing this naive game that liberals > conservatives, be my guest.

 

[DanceMan]

It's my understanding that it's not technically illegal for people to visit Cuba, it's just illegal to spend money there. The regulations say travel-releated TRANSACTIONS, not travel in general. That's how they get you -- try traveling someplace without spending any money! But, if Michael Moore did it through a third-party and can prove it, they really can't get him for anything.


Also, you should know that the United States government is playing a dangerous game here. It has not been settled that the government can tell it's citizens where to go (or not go). Almost every case where people are willing to take this further in the courts, rather than pay the fine, the US drops the charges. Why? Because there is a chance it is found unconstitutional, and then the government would not be able to enforce it's so-called 'travel ban'.

I can't understand why some of you 'patriots' who say you support America revel in glee in 'getting' Michael Moore over something as petty as this, when he only exercising his basic right to go where he wants to go, and associate with whoever he wants to. So long as he's not doing it in a manner that harms US interests, what's the big deal? I think you should be more concerned about China, which we have basically handed over our economy over too, and has much more influence over us than some lil-old Carribbean island that's been stuck in the 1950s.

 

[senseamp]

The embargo is an embarrassing failure that not only failed to accomplish its goal but was completely counterproductive. Cuba would be a lot more capitalist now without it. Look at China and India for example. If there were droves of US tourists on Cuba and Cuba depended on the US for something, we would have mutually beneficial relationship. Instead we have a completely asinine and juvenile policy that isn't helping anyone. Even those bitter Cubans upset about their assets being nationalized and supporting the embargo would own a lot more assets if they just traded and invested in Cuba without an embargo.

 

[Starbuck1975]

the New York Yankees paid the government $75,000 to settle a dispute that it conducted business in Cuba in violation of the embargo.

Apparently others have already been hit by this embargo restriction, so it is not a question of the government picking on poor Michael Moore.

regulations say travel-releated TRANSACTIONS, not travel in general.

Moore did not simply travel to Cuba...he facilitated transactions respective to his upcoming documentary on HMOs.

I can't understand why some of you 'patriots' who say you support America revel in glee in 'getting' Michael Moore over something as petty as this, when he only exercising his basic right to go where he wants to go, and associate with whoever he wants to.

Because if you or I were to break the same law, we would have no choice but to pay the fine. It is quite simple really. We are a nation of laws, even if we do not agree with all of them. If you plan on traveling to travel to a place like Cuba, and intend to do business there, perhaps it would be a smart move to make sure that you are acting in accordance with US trade laws.

Unless of course you are Michael Moore, and want free publicity for your movie...then you intentionally break the law, and then whine all over your website about how the fascist American government is picking on you.

 

[senseamp]

Are they going to go after the 9/11 survivors who went to Cuba for care too?

 

[slash196]

I've always thought the travel ban to Cuba was the most ridiculous thing, and I'm eager to see it lifted, but that won't happen until Castro kicks it because the politicians don't want to lose the Cuban vote in south Florida.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I don?t understand the liberal fascination with Cuba.

Ok 99% literacy and free health care are great, but living and poverty and zero freedom of the press sort of make the first two a little less attractive.

Maybe we should make Moore LIVE in Cuba for a year or two. Now that would be an interesting movie.
The subtitle could be ?Now I know why people risk their lives to get out.?

Nobody thinks zero freedom of press is cool. Poverty is basically a consequence of the embargo. And if you visit Cuba you would understand the fascination: the place is gorgeous, the people amazing, the music incredible.

You totally missed my point.

The fascination I was talking about had nothing to do with the people or the music. It is the fascination with Castro. Liberals love him. Look at Oliver Stone going to Cuba and making an ?I love Castro? biography. Now we have Moore talking up the Cuban medical system as if it?s the greatest in the world.

Cuba is a fricken dictatorship. People are dying to get out of there. And yet liberal like to pretend it?s heaven on earth and if only we would copy them we could be just like them.

 

[ProfJohn]

I love the way you libs attack the embargo but totally ignore the fact that it was put in place by Democrat here #1 (JFK) and codified into law by Democrats hero #2 (Clinton)

BTW Democrats control congress, why don?t they eliminate the embargo via a new law?
Maybe they are looking for Cuban votes as well?

 

[BoomerD]

I think the Cuban vote in Florida and elsewhere is EXACTLY why neither party will lift the restrictions on Cuba until after Castro dies...and then, ONLY if there's some serious reform in Cupan government.


BTW PJ, the restrictions on Americans spending in Cuba had expired under Carter, who declined to re-instate them...they remained such until your Neocon hero Ronnie Rayguns signed them back into law...

 

[zylander]

I never knew the US made it illegal to travel to Cuba. I always thought that if you go there through a different country it would be ok, but never knew it was completely illegal to set foot on Cuba.

Also, I dont understand this whole embargo with Cuba. Is the U.S. not responsible for Cuba becoming a communist country? Castro asked for our help to overthrow Batista in the 50's did he not? And when we said no he turned to the Soviet Union. Are we not just holding this grudge with them because of something we were responsible for?

 

[ProfJohn]

All this talk about Cuba reminds me of something very ironic regarding JFK.

As President JFK launched the failed invasion of Cuba.
He also led us in to Vietnam which cost over 50,000 lives.
AND he cut taxes?

And yet Democrats worship him as the greatest President since FDR? I don?t get it.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I love the way you libs attack the embargo but totally ignore the fact that it was put in place by Democrat here #1 (JFK) and codified into law by Democrats hero #2 (Clinton)

Obvioulsy unlike you Bush apologists they haven't a problem disagreeing with some of their"Heros" decisions.

 

[umbrella39]

Wow, add this OP to the never ending list of:

I could give 2 sh!ts about MM and what he does posts.

The only people that care about MM are the bush base.

 

[Randum]

michael moore and his great representation of facts. he is a good representation of our media. Take the facts and spin them in a way that is controversial, so you can get some publicity.
Mr.Moore- do a documentary on the obesity epidemic in the USA....

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
All this talk about Cuba reminds me of something very ironic regarding JFK.

As President JFK launched the failed invasion of Cuba.
He also led us in to Vietnam which cost over 50,000 lives.
AND he cut taxes?

And yet Democrats worship him as the greatest President since FDR? I don?t get it.

Funny, but it was Eisenhower that got the ball rolling in Vietnam. Johnson was the one who really escalated it and of course he decided not to run for reelection. Remember the "I shall not seek and will not accept" the nomination speech?

Too bad Bush wasn't as honorable.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I don?t understand the liberal fascination with Cuba.

Ok 99% literacy and free health care are great, but living and poverty and zero freedom of the press sort of make the first two a little less attractive.

Maybe we should make Moore LIVE in Cuba for a year or two. Now that would be an interesting movie.
The subtitle could be ?Now I know why people risk their lives to get out.?

Nobody thinks zero freedom of press is cool. Poverty is basically a consequence of the embargo. And if you visit Cuba you would understand the fascination: the place is gorgeous, the people amazing, the music incredible.

You totally missed my point.

The fascination I was talking about had nothing to do with the people or the music. It is the fascination with Castro. Liberals love him. Look at Oliver Stone going to Cuba and making an ?I love Castro? biography. Now we have Moore talking up the Cuban medical system as if it?s the greatest in the world.

Cuba is a fricken dictatorship. People are dying to get out of there. And yet liberal like to pretend it?s heaven on earth and if only we would copy them we could be just like them.

I don't know what liberals think and love, cause I am not sure what a liberal is. I know I like their culture and people.

What I know is that most people in Cuba like their country. I guess you have never been there, but I did. If you talk to cubans here in the US you obviously only talk to people who were against the regime enough to try and cross the sea.

What you don't understand is that people in Cuba compare Castro to Batista. They don't compare their dictatorial regime to Disneyland. They compare it to another dictatorial regime. And no matter how crazy Castro looks to you, they still think Batista was 100 times worse. No regime stands for such a long time without popular support.

People in Cuba like the fact that such a small country stood in front of a superpower determined to destroy them for 60 years and wasn't intimidated. Not even after attempts to invade, embargoes, financing rebellions and attempt political murders. It's not a matter whether you like Castro or not. It's the ideal of David against Goliath.

That said, I do not support Castro's policies nor Guevara's methods. Guevara was basically a mass murderer and I don't condone his actions because they were motivated by politics. And I think Castro's repression of journalists, artists and minorities (most notably gay people) is simply disgusting.

 

[jpeyton]

Moore welcomes the probe and the free publicity it will bring.

You think his lawyers didn't foresee this happening? Think again.

While this movie won't be a runaway success like F9/11, it will still be successful.

Kudos to Moore for tackling the issues plaguing this country.

 

[ProfJohn]

Here is a question?
There are laws that allow the government to seize profits earned by illegally run businesses.
So if they determine that Moore broke the embargo and therefore profited because of his illegal activity could they not try and seize all the money made by this movie?

Now I highly doubt that will happen, but it seems to make sense logically.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Here is a question?
There are laws that allow the government to seize profits earned by illegally run businesses.
So if they determine that Moore broke the embargo and therefore profited because of his illegal activity could they not try and seize all the money made by this movie?

Now I highly doubt that will happen, but it seems to make sense logically.

If this bothers you so badly why don't you do a citizens arrest?

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Here is a question?
There are laws that allow the government to seize profits earned by illegally run businesses.
So if they determine that Moore broke the embargo and therefore profited because of his illegal activity could they not try and seize all the money made by this movie?

Now I highly doubt that will happen, but it seems to make sense logically.

If this bothers you so badly why don't you do a citizens arrest?

There is this thing called intellectual curiosity? maybe you should read up on it?

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Here is a question?
There are laws that allow the government to seize profits earned by illegally run businesses.
So if they determine that Moore broke the embargo and therefore profited because of his illegal activity could they not try and seize all the money made by this movie?

Now I highly doubt that will happen, but it seems to make sense logically.

If this bothers you so badly why don't you do a citizens arrest?

There is this thing called intellectual curiosity? maybe you should read up on it?

I see, you just want to whine and pass it off as "intellectual curiosity". I think your jealous of Moore and should call the WHAAAMBULANCE.